Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers (84.283)

Program

84.283 Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Elementary And Secondary Education

Authorization

Education Technical Assistance Act of 2002, Section 203.

Program Number

84.283

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

This program supports 21 comprehensive centers that provide training and technical assistance, and professional development in reading, mathematics, and technology, primarily to State educational agencies. By statute, the Department is required to establish at least one center in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the Department's regional education laboratories.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The Comprehensive Centers consist of 21 centers, including 16 regional centers and 5 content centers. Grantees are required to develop five-year plans for carrying out authorized activities that address state and regional needs. The 16 regional centers provide services primarily to State educational agencies to enable them to assist school districts, regional education agencies, and schools, especially low-performing schools. Each regional center provides training and technical assistance in the implementation and administration of programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the use of scientifically valid teaching methods and assessment tools in mathematics, science, reading and language arts. The 5 content centers focus on specific areas, with one center in each of five areas: accountability, instruction, teacher quality, innovation and improvement, and high schools. These centers supply much of the research-based information and products in the specific area that regional centers use when working with states.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutions of higher education (IHEs), or partnerships among such entities, or individuals that have the expertise to provide training to States, school districts, and schools may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Agencies supporting or providing elementary and secondary education will benefit, including state and local educational agencies, schools, Indian tribes, community-based organizations, and other recipients of funds under ESEA.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications or proposals must be prepared and submitted in accordance with applicable program announcements.

Award Procedure

After completion of competitive review of applications, the Department makes the final decision on the approval and funding of applications.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 60 to 120 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Awards are made for up to five years, subject to the availablity of appropriations.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants may be awarded for up to five years subject to the availability of funds and performance by the grantee. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Specified reporting requirements are included in the grant or cooperative agreement document. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. As required by EDGAR, 34 CFR 74.

Records

Records must be kept for three years after the completion of the activity that grant funds were used.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Year 4 awards were made to 21 centers. Fiscal Year 2009: Year 5 continuations. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-1000-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $57,113,000; FY 09 est $57,113,000; FY 10 est $57,113,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations applicable to this program are in The Department of Education's General Administrative Regulations (34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86).

Related Programs

84.004 Civil Rights Training and Advisory Services

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Fran Walter Department of Education, OESE, School Support and Technology Programs, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: fran.walter@ed.gov Phone: (202) 205-9198

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/newccp/index.html.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Beginning FY 05-09. One comprehensive regional assistance center has set as its goal the implementation of a system of sustained and comprehensive support that improves teaching and learning in schools in the region, resulting in high academic achievement for all students, particularly those at risk of educational failure. The center provides support and professional development and assistance to schools; operates a coordinated system of technical assistance with partners at the local, State and national levels; and provides technical assistance and research-based information supported by technology. In working with client educational agencies, the center uses awareness of the need for change, greater responsibility for student achievement, requirements of recent legislation and the promise of technology as openings to help move clients from token or tentative reform measures to more comprehensive ones. Consistent with statutory priorities, the center concentrates on assisting school-wide programs and those who serve children from high-poverty schools. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria include: (1) Meeting the purpose of the authorizing statue; (2) extent of need for the center; (3) plan of operation; (4) quality of key personnel; (5) budget and cost-effectiveness; (6) evaluation plan; and (7) adequacy of resources.